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Page 517
quickly. A few started cautiously toward the fighting to carry word to their master, if they could find him. Most fled to seek hiding places. Thus, by the time Llewelyn's common sense reasserted itself so that he thought to look for a camp and send a few men to seize a servant from whom they could quickly learn whose force was attacking the keep, it was no longer so easy a thing to do. It was necessary to scour the woods to catch a bird that could be induced to sing.
Even when they had heard the song, willingly sung, they were none the wiser. Although they now knew for certain that Lord Gwenwynwyn had summoned his men and attacked the keep, they could not guess why, and the servant, of course, could not tell them. It was highly unlikely that Gwenwynwyn would move on his own to interfere between Ian and Ian's castellan. If he had been outraged by the rebellion, he might have sent word of it either to Alinor or to Llewelynthereby profiting by their gratitudebut he would scarcely attack. If he favored Sir Peter, all he need do was look the other way. Suddenly, before they had any real chance to discuss the matter, it became apparent that something important was about to happen. Horns began to sound, and men broke from the groups at the base of the ladders to run toward other groups.
Lord Llewelyn's face hardened. His son was his son, and he loved him. If he had known what was best to do for Owain, he would have done it. There was no way he could discover that. It was as likely that inaction would harm Owain as that action would, and here was a chance he had sought for years. Gwenwynwyn was attacking a keep in which his clan brother lay. That brother's wife had sought his help. He had cause enough to absolve him of any guilt for attacking Gwenwynwyn.
"Lady Alinor, you and your men bide here. Whatever caused this assault on Clyro Keep, I know one thing surely. Ian is safer in my hands than in any others.

 
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